Acts 13 Lesson

PRAYER AND FASTING

Modern-day Christians understand the importance of prayer in their lives. 

But what about fasting? 

As disciples of Jesus, are we expected to incorporate fasting into our lives also?  

The short answer is yes!

Our focus verse for today’s study is taken from the Book of Acts, where Luke wrote:   

• “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ This was spoken to Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul.” - Acts 13:2.

The story of Barnabas and Saul is a fantastic example of the Holy Spirit issuing a command, and people following it. 

LISTENING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Both the Bible and the Holy Spirit are critical to our salvation. 

We can think of their relationship as follows:

1. The Bible tells us what to do,
2. The Holy Spirit lets us feel it.

The Bible and the Holy Spirit are always in agreement and will never contradict one another.  

John wrote about this in his first epistle:

• “By this, you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist.” – 1 John 4:2.

When the Holy Spirit reaches out to us and tells us to do something, we are to trust Him and follow His direction, provided that direction is in agreement with the scriptures.

That is exactly what happened to Paul and Barnabas, who after they had prayed and fasted were sent out by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel. 

It is important to take note of the sequence of events here:

1. First, they prayed and fasted,
2. Then, they were told what to do by the Holy Spirit.

This provides us with a framework for us to use today. 

If we are not sure what God’s plan is for us, there are three things that we can do:

1. Fast,
2. Pray about it,
3. Ask the Holy Spirit for assistance. 

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT PRAYER

Prayer is an important part of being a Christian.  There are many verses in the Bible that talk about the importance of prayer.

For today’s lesson, we have highlighted these five:

1. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” - Ephesians 6:18,
2. “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” - Jeremiah 29:12,
3. “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Mathew 26:41,
4. “Rejoicing inhope, perseveringin tribulation, devoted to prayer.” -Romans 12:12,
5. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” - James 5:16.

FASTING

Fasting is often overlooked in modern-day Christianity.

But should it be?

There are no scriptures telling us that we no longer need to fast.

There are, however, multiple scriptures that talk about the importance of fasting, including these five:

1. “They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan and for the people of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” - 2 Samuel 1:12, 
2. “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” - Acts 14:23, 
3. “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” - Ester 4:16, 
4. “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” - Mathew 6:16, 
5. “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments.”  Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” - Joel 2:12-13.

CONCLUSION

The verb, “fast” occurs twenty-two times in the Bible, while the noun, “fast” appears twenty-six times (source: answers.com). 

The frequency of its appearance shows us how important fasting is to God. 

Fasting involves sacrifice, which is an important part of being a Christian.

If we want the Holy Spirit to lead us, we need to remember the example of Barnabas and Saul, by incorporating both prayer and fasting into our lives. 

Those who have been baptized and received the Holy Spirit, have Him as a Helper to help us navigate through life.

When the Holy Spirit is compelling us to do something, we should pray and fast about it, and then take action! 

We will conclude today’s lesson by revisiting the following scripture:

• “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ This was spoken to Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul.” - Acts 13:2.